… one DiY at a time

Main menu

Post navigation

Christmas starts here…

When I was a child, my family celebrated every aspect of Christmas, beginning with the Advent Wreath. During Advent, we’d gather together in the living room after the dinner dishes were done, dim the lights and get on our knees for prayer.

Mom usually read the prayers from a sheet she got from the church. Dad would lead the rosary, and the littlest one of us (with help) would light the candle of the week.

That little candle, and the ones that followed, brought light to the dark room, and a sense of connection and warmth to all of us. Each week, the anticipation would build, until Christmas Eve finally arrived.

It’s been 30 years since I lived at home, but the warmth, joy and love of this season speaks to me even more loudly than it did then.

And it always started with a candle laden wreath. Mom and Dad’s was always made of fresh fir branches Dad gathered. Mine will not be.

To start, I used a defunct, wired, wrought iron “chandelier” light fixture that had been stored in the basement by the previous tenants.

I dismantled it totally, removed the wiring and gave it a good cleaning.

Then, the creative fun started. I wanted this piece to be able to sit flat on a table, so I played with the pieces until I got a configuration that would work sitting on a tabletop or hung by ribbon.

I scavenged greenery from the Salvation Army wreath I purchased last year.

Using florists wire, I secured the greenery to the chandelier. A few ribbons and candles, and my Advent Wreath is ready!

At the moment, I’m keeping it on the table that will house the 3 ft tree I’ve got stashed somewhere. It may migrate as I work on more decorating. For now, though, it’s a touch of my family, my childhood and Christmas – front and center in the living room.

—

I’d really love to see your comments on the projects I do and the ideas I have. I learn more from critiques than praise, but, honestly, I adore praise (and who doesn’t?).